Mental Health: Societal, Legal, and Life-Stage Perspectives

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of mental health, exploring its societal concepts, legal and political frameworks, and deviations across the lifespan. The essay begins by defining mental health and mental illness, then delves into societal perspectives and the impact of stigma. It uses the case study of the Brown family to illustrate various mental health challenges faced by individuals of different ages, including depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues. The essay examines the historical and evolving understanding of mental health, the influence of societal attitudes, and legal frameworks such as the Mental Health Act 1983. It also highlights common mental health deviations at different life stages, from childhood to older adulthood, and discusses the importance of early intervention and appropriate care. The essay concludes by exploring strategies to address challenging behaviors within the family, offering insights into promoting mental wellness and supporting individuals facing mental health issues.

Mental Health
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Mental health is defined as the emotional and psychological perspective of individual
which directly impact their health, behaviour and actions. Along with this, mental health of
individual also assists individual in determining the certain ways to handle or overcome the level
of stress (Beronio, Skopec and Glied, 2014). Therefore, it is stated that it plays a significant role
in the different phases of life from childhood to adulthood. Whereas, mental illness is contrasting
with the mental health situation it is defined as the position that mainly results in arising the
serious disorder among the individual. Thus, it directly impact the individual's thinking and
behaviour. In addition to this, mental illness is also defined as the disorder which directly affects
the health as well as behaviour of individual that might results in attaining high level of
depression as well as anxiety disorder.
In order to conduct the successful research, it mainly focuses on referring the case
scenario of Brown family. The case scenario mainly emphasizes on the Brown family and their
family members that have certain mental health related issues. Along with this, it would also
evaluate the different societal concept related with the mental health. In addition to this, it also
measures various legal and political frameworks which are designed by the government to
support clients in maintaining the mental health of the individual. Lastly, the essay will also
results in exploring the range of strategies that would overcome the challenging behaviours of
different family members.
1. Evaluate societal concepts of mental health
World Health Organisation (WHO) has introduced the key concept of mental health that
clearly states the well-being of individual that support the individual to easily cope up with the
stress situation within the individual. If the mental health of individual is effective then it results
in performing activities which aids in coping up with the normal stress level (Halpern, 2014).
With the regard to historical, ideological and perceptual understanding, it has been evaluated that
social concepts of mental health plays significant role in maintaining mental health and well-
being of individual.
Through considering the case scenario of Brown family, Caroline Brown is 40 years old
women with 3 children has experienced the state of depression as she constantly feels that she is
not able to meet the demand and requirement of their family members. Along with this, Neil
Brown the sole earner of family is also worried about losing his job as the printing business is
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not going well (Grob, 2014). Through reviewing the case, another member within family was
Amelia as she was angry with her parents as they have another baby. Therefore, she spend her
time alone in her room and surfing social media sites.
Therefore, with considering the case scenario it has been evaluated that constant
development is witnessed in the concept of mental health. The historical concept within the
mental health is that it becomes the key responsibility of medical professionals to deliver proper
care to mentally ill patient as they conceive it as the disease which need to be overcome. In the
historical perspective, it has been also viewed that mental health is considered as the medical
concept (Rogers and Pilgrim, 2014). On the other hand, with the change in societal attitude and
perception against mental illness, it has been assessed that the concept of social well-being
collectively and positively helps the individual to overcome the mental illness.
It has been evaluated that to enhance the mental health of the individual Freud has
engaged in three inter working human personality that is id, ego and superego. The foremost
state of mind among individual is “id” that mainly relate with desire of accomplishing biological
needs. Another aspect within the Freud structural model is ego that is related with conscience
which mainly engage in meeting the basic desire without succeeding in attaining negative
consequences (De Los Reyes and et.al., 2015). The last element within the model is related with
superego that is engaging in interaction activities with other people. Along with this, it also
restricts the feeling of id in applying societal values and norms. Therefore, the author Freud has
also stated that all the three factors would directly affect in developing personality and behaviour
of the individual.
Stigma is that when someone views other in negative way because of racism,
characteristics and personal trait which may be a disadvantage. Further it can be stated that
negative attitudes and beliefs for other people can have a mental health condition which are
common. It can be lead to discrimination. Discrimination can be obvious and direct for instance
any persona make negative thinking toward other is about mental illness. Stigma can penetrate
the lives of people with mental health problem in various manner. Further, self discrimination is
one of the process where people with mental health problems turn the mental representation
about mental illness which is adopted by the public, toward themselves. Mental health stigma
can be divided in different types that is social stigma which is discriminating behavior and
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prejudicial attitudes. On the other side perceived stigma or self stigma is internalizing by the
mental health sufferer from their perception of discrimination. On the other side perceived
stigma can directly impact feeling of shame and lead to poorer treatment outcomes. There is
linked between racial discrimination to poor mental health. From the research it has been
identified that mental health problems where shown as the significantly higher in racial minority.
This mental problem related to negative thinking can be reduced if all people are treated equally.
There are some changes came from institution to care in the community because people now
change their way of looking to people who are suffering from mental health. At the workplace,
they are not treated in a negative manner. Along with this proper care provided to them in
hospital so that they can overcome from their mental illness.
2. Common mental health deviations across the lifespan (Age related)
It has been explored that there are different stages or growth of individual across the
lifespan which aids in attaining the common mental health related deviation. The different life
stages of the individual include-
At the childhood or infancy stage
Children face mental health issues due to lack of nutrients and nourishment provided to
them. There are numerous other factors that affect the health of kids. These include the
relationship between child and caregiver, paternal and maternal health, nutrition, skilled and
knowledgeable caregiver, etc (Lereya, Copeland and Wolke, 2015). It has been recommended
that such disorders needs to be cured at the early stages because it will become difficult to treat it
later. Apart from this, some children even face issues related with developmental disorder that
results in facing adverse health issues that do not engage in their growth. Apart from this proper
care is needed to baby at infancy stage so that no negative impact take place on growth and
development of baby. As per the give case, Emily was 9 month old and it was an unexpected
baby. At this stage it need to proper care and love from her mother for mental and physical
development. But her mother is suffering from dementia and she was suffering from depression.
Due to this reason she was unable to take proper care of her baby.
Adolescent stage
At this stage many teenagers face stress, depression, anxiety disorder which is common
kind of mental health issues. The teenagers possess such issues when they face stiff behaviours
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from their guardians (A whole-of-lifespan approach to mental health and mental illness. 2017).
Certain situations also arises when the adolescent get into disruptive behaviour. Substance
misuse and depressed mood are the major cause that leads to common health problems in the
teenagers. It has also been ascertained that suicidal behaviour also persist in adolescent in which
they commit suicidal attempt at mid twenties due to the uneven circumstances of life (Alcock
and et.al., 2014). Therefore, all these health issues need to be cured so that such cases can be
reduced with the time. With the help of reviewing the case scenario, it has been assessed that
Amelia at this stage is angry with their parents for having another baby that results in arousing
challenging behaviour within her. Thus it lead to socially excluding self from their family
members . Apart from this she also engage in self neglect activities.
For instance in case of
Adolescence
Another life stage of individual include adolescence in which individual enter into the
stage of puberty. At this stage of life style, individual mainly get the mental disorder related with
depression, anxiety issues that directly impact their mental health and illness. In addition to this,
at this age individual may also engage in attaining behavioural disorder that lead to common
mental health related problem among the individual (Thoits, 2013). The individual those who
have attained the age of 10-15 years are among the adolescence stage. With the help of
reviewing the case scenario, it has been assessed that Amelia is adolescent that might results in
attaining the peak depressions as well as anxiety issues. As per the given case, Amelia feel that
her mother is not giving time to her because of his brother who was just only nine month old..
She started eating less food and spend most of her time in room lonely. This directly impact
mental health of Ameila and it leads to mental illness.
Early adulthood
Another stage in the life style includes early adulthood in which the individual is
pursuing their higher education which leads to overall development of their mental health. At
this stage, there is increasing independence among individual that results in attaining accountable
for their own mental health actions and behaviour (Oppedal and Idsoe, 2015). In the early stage
of adulthood, individual monitor and review own performance. By assessing the case scenario, it
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has been assessed that Thomas focuses on seeking help from the friends and family so that they
can easily improve their mental health literacy.
Adulthood
Another stage within the lifespan include adulthood which is considered a key stage that
increases or prevalence the different issues and mental disorder diseases that directly affect the
mental stability of individual. Through reviewing the case scenario at the adulthood stage,
Caroline Brown has evident the different mental health related problem that directly results in
impacting their health and attaining physical illness which is likely to develop the symptoms of
mental disorder (Cheng and et.al., 2014). According to the give case, Neil Brown is 42 years old
and he is suffering from great tension related to job which he may lose because business is not
going well. He live far away from his family and didn't share his worries with his wife. Suffering
from tension is also a symptoms of mental illness.
Older Adulthood
Another stage in the lifespan of individual is older adulthood that covers the specific age
group of 50 above. At this stage, individual or adult requires more care and attention as the
illness might results in increasing disabilities. Along with this, older adulthood has also attained
situation of dying and it requires optimum services related with proper care, treatment as well as
medication so that they can easily cope up with the situation of illness. In addition this, mental
health at this stage results in experiencing different disorder as illness that lead to physical illness
as well as mental illness.
3. The legal and political frameworks which are designed to support clients
Through considering the case scenario, it has been assessed that there are different legal
and political frameworks that are designed by government which directly results in supporting
their clients as well as Brown family. The different legislation frameworks includes-
Mental Health Act 1983
The foremost legislation that is related with case study includes Mental Health Act 1983
that mainly consolidate different laws as well as act that are related with protecting the mentally
disordered individual from the risk or vulnerable activities. From the case study, June who is 79
years old and mother of Jane who has dementia. This act is applicable and it supports in
providing care and support to the patient who are suffering from mental disability. (Howard,
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Piot and Stein, 2014). It has been evaluated that by implementing this act it support the
individual and people that have mental health problems. Along with this legislation would also
assist them in specifying their right related with assessing the treatment plan for overcoming the
dementia as Jane is an old lady and she is suffering from dementia. Along with this, the
legislation also focuses on gaining information related with treatment within the community.
Care Act 2014
Another legislation related with mental health which us enforced by UK government
include Care Act 2014 it mainly focuses on imposing laws that are related with care and
supporting adults within the community (Zhao and et.al., 2015). With the help of considering the
case scenario, this legislation is applicable in the situation as the Caroline Brown is having
symptom related with depression and Jane suffer from Dementia. Therefore, legal framework
would support in making different provisions that mainly focuses on supporting and
safeguarding the individual from the risk of abuse. Along with this, it is also evaluated that
implementing Care Act 2014 helps in making the different provision related with delivering the
care standard and criteria so that they can easily maintain the health among different individual
within the Brown family.
Children Act 1989
Another legal framework or legislation that is framed by the UK government includes
Children Act 1989. The key purpose of engaging in implementing this legislation is to ensure
that all requirements related with development and welfare of children within England is met.
By considering the case scenario, Caroline Brown children Amelia and Thomas were not
attached with their family members as Amelia was angry with their parent for having another
baby. Therefore, for this Amelia socially exclude themselves from the family gathering. She
gave more attention to her social life with the help of using internet (Haslam and et.al., 2016).
On the other hand, Thomas enjoy in the school and do not along with her sister Amelia as she
spends most of time in room and moody. Therefore, with the help of implementing the
legislation it has been analysed that it supports children of Brown family by imposing different
provisions related with safeguarding and promoting welfare among children through allocating
services to the local authority so that they may easily meet requirement and needs of children.
Mental Capacity Act 2005
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UK government also focuses on imposing the act related with The Mental Capacity Act
2005 that is mainly applicable in the area of England and Wales (What is the Mental Capacity
Act? 2017). The key aim of legislation is to render legal framework that support the individual
in taking decisions on behalf of those patient who are suffering from mental illness. With the
lack of mental capacity they are not able to take effective and proper decisions by themselves.
With the help of considering the case scenario it states that June suffering with Dementia would
not able to take decision by their own (Walsh and et.al., 2013). Therefore, with the help of
implementing this act, his son Jane can easily take all decision on behalf of his mother.
Henceforth, it has been analysed that implementing this legislation would also support client in
protecting their rights and empower other family member on behalf of them. In addition to this, it
has been also assessed that this legislation also allows in appointing trusted individual for taking
decision on behalf of mentally ill individual as individual lack the capability of taking decision
by their own.
4. Range of effective strategies when working with client exhibiting variety of challenging
behaviour
It has been assessed that while managing and interacting with individual that has mental
illness there are different range of strategies that must be used by the individual. All the
strategies and ways supports in managing challenging behaviour and action of the individual.
The range of effective strategies when working with client include-
Counselling
Another effective strategy that used to overcome challenging behaviour of individual
within Brown family include engaging in providing them with proper counselling so that they
can easily change the mindset or mental perspective of individual within the family member so
that they may easily deliver proper services to them. For instance, with considering the scenario
Amelia was angry with her mother as she feels that her mother has no longer for her after the
birth of his sister (Beronio, Skopec and Glied, 2014). Therefore, this made her isolated from the
other family members and it also results in socially excluding themselves in the room. Thus, with
the help of providing proper counselling or mentoring so that they may easily control her
behaviour towards their family member and it also results in encouraging communication with
other family members. On the other hand, with the help of assessing the case study, Caroline also
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experienced depression as she thought that she is unable to meet demand and requirement of his
family therefore, counselling would support mother in changing their behaviour and mental
attitude related with depression.
Open communication
Another key strategy that is used to meet challenging behaviour of individual includes
enabling open communication with the family members so that they may not feel stressed or
social excluded (Rogers and Pilgrim, 2014). It has been assessed that open communication
would also support individual in maintaining proper relationship among the family members so
that they can easily maintain health and well-being. On the other hand, with the help of open
communication it is also assessed that with the effective communication Caroline Brown may
not engage in the depression activity. In a society there is powerful negative stigma which is
attached with mental illness. Our fear of mentally ill people also stems from out own inability for
communicating with them and lack of knowledge related to mental illness. There are some
important guideline which need to be followed at the time of communicating with patient who
are suffering from mental illness. (Halpern, 2014). If is required to be respectful to the person so
that make them more consider whatever we said to them. Further it is necessary to listen to them
what they are communicating and try to understand them so that reality based needs can be meet.
Good supervision is critical: In dealing with adults who are suffering from mental illness it is
crucial that they receive consistent supervision from someone with other professional and only
legal people allow to have such kind of information which they need to working with them.
Monitor the level of involvement: It is suitable to offer some limited assistance to adults who
are suffering from mental illness in the family of client. If is required that adult must know about
the services in the community.
Principle of person-centred care
Along with this, another strategy which can be adopted for managing the challenging
behaviour of individual include engaging in principle of person-centred care with the help of this
individual is been empowered and authorized in taking effective decision by their own (Lereya,
Copeland and Wolke, 2015). With the help of assessing the case scenario Caroline is empowered
and authorize in taking decision for their children so that they may not feel neglected as well as it
also supports in maintaining proper health of other family members. Along with this, principle
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of person-centered care also support Jane in taking proper decision on behalf of his mother as she
suffered from dementia and unable to take decision related with care and treatment by their own.
Engaging in social gatherings
Another effective strategies that is used for managing challenging behaviour of individual
include engaging in social gathering and meetings so that members within the family cannot
discard themselves (Alcock and et.al., 2014). With the help of reviewing and assessing the case
scenario, it has been assessed that Amelia has socially excluded herself from their family
members and she spends most of her time alone in the room as she thinks that her family is not
bothered about her and even do not care about her this lead to engaging in self neglect activities.
Therefore, for overcoming this challenging behaviour it has been explored that they must engage
in creating and organizing family gathering so that they may include themselves within the firm
and this also results in maintaining effective relationship among each of them.
From the aforementioned essay it has been assessed that to ensure proper health and well-
being of individual, it is required to maintain their proper mental health which lead to healthy
living. Along with this, it also focuses on understanding and gaining insight knowledge
regarding different stages or phases of lifespan that individual possess throughout their lives.
Moreover, it also results in concluding different range of strategies that must be used by the
individual so that they can easily manage challenging behaviour of the individuals which mainly
includes focusing on application of principle of person-centred care, open communication,
principles of autonomy and dignity etc.
Care plan for Brown family members-
Jane (Dementia)
Nursing Diagnosis Patient goals Nursing action Scientific principles
 Change in the
mood
 Difficulties in
performing the
operational
daily tasks.
To overcome the
situation so that they
may ensure their
proper health.
Guidance.
Treatment or
counseling
This action would
assists the Jane in
overcoming the
situation of Dementia
that results in their
proper health.
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 Failing sense
of direction.
Caroline (Depression)
Nursing Diagnosis Patient goals Nursing action Scientific principles
 Swing in the
mood.
 Feeling or guilt
 feeling low or
sad as they are
not able to
meet the
requirement of
their children.
To overcome the
situation so that they
may ensure their
proper health.
Counseling
Therapies
Constant
communication among
the parties.
With the help of this
Caroline would
improve their behavior
and mindset.
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Zhao, W. and et.al., 2015. Attachment style, relationship factors, and mental health stigma
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